The Wacky World of ATM Technology

Mixed media deposits. Built-in videoconferencing. Custom software. Gold bars. Pipe organs.

The ATM isn't just getting smarter; It's getting more ridiculous.

Late last year a mall in Boca Raton, Fla. got the nation's first Gold to go vending machine, an ATM of sorts that lets customers trade cold, hard cash for, well, cold, hard gold.

Gold-dispensing cash machines are all well and good. But if you're in, say, Venice, Italy and want to grab a plate of polenta and maybe a glass of wine, gold only goes so far.

Thankfully there's a much more musical (and practical, if the goal is to withdraw cash) solution on display in the City of Bridges. At the U.S. Pavillion at the 54th International Art Exhibition, they've got a combination ATM-pipe organ, that plays a heavenly tune while customers take out some cash.

Here the artist behind the project discusses her inspiration.